Umatilla Businesswomen Finish 5th In National Softball Tourney

August 27, 1985|By Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff

Players on the Umatilla Businesswomen's softball team found they can compete against some of the best teams in the nation by finishing fifth in the American Softball Association's Hall of Fame tournament in Phenix City, Ala.

Umatilla's finish was part of a strong performance by Florida teams, which dominated the top spots. Tuskegee, Ala., won the tournament, followed by the Tomboys of Jacksonville; Tony's Tigers of Tampa; Miss Dees of Lakeland, Umatilla; Megaris of Bartow; and the Lady Dragons of Pensacola.

Coach Arthur ''Pine'' Clark and assistant Otis Rogers helped finance Umatilla's trip after a drive to raise $700 for the trip netted just $200. Clark said he'd be more than happy to do it again.

Umatilla qualified for the tournament by finishing fourth in a tournament in Hollywood, Fla., a week earlier.

''It's all worth it. We're pretty happy with the way we played,'' Clark said. ''Our girls were real pleased that we did make the trip and compete in the nationals. We hope to have a chance to do the same thing again.''

Umatilla opened the double-elimination, 28-team tournament, with a 12-5 victory over Alabama Businesswomen Friday night. Umatilla returned to action Saturday with back-to-back victories over the Lady Dragons, 9-5, and Megaris, 17-0, but was knocked out of the tournament with losses to the Tomboys, 16-12, and Tony's Tigers, 8-1.

''The tournament was supposed to be three days but they tournament officials decided to shorten it to two days,'' Clark said. ''Some of the coaches were upset about that. It meant all the teams had to play too many back-to-back games.''

Umatilla utilized the power hitting of Doris Smith and Cynthia Jones throughout the tournament. Smith had five home runs and Jones hit four. Other players with good offensive performances were Toni Donaldson and Latoyia Williams. Clark gave a lot of credit to sisters Emma and Cynthia Jones, who did the pitching.

Umatilla's defense also came around after it committed seven errors in the opening game. Umatilla fell behind the Alabama Businesswomen, 4-0, in the first inning but it rallied with 21